The document discusses test specifications, which are written documents that provide essential background information to guide the test development process. Specifications are generative documents used to create equivalent test items. They make explicit the design decisions in the test and allow new versions to be created by others. Specifications should include a general description, prompt attributes, response attributes, sample items, and supplements if needed. Validity, reliability, practicality, washback, authenticity, transparency, and scorer reliability are important criteria for specifications. Scoring can be analytical by rating language components separately or holistic by an impressionistic method.
kinds of tests and testing
proficiency tests- achievement tests, diagnostics test, placement tests, direct and indirect test, discrete point and intergrative testing, norm-referenced and criterion testing, objective testing and subjective testing, computer adapting testing
Types of tests: proficiency, achievement, diagnostic, placement
Types of testing: direct vs indirect tests, discrete point vs integrative tests, criterion-referenced vs norm-referenced tests, objective vs subjective tests
kinds of tests and testing
proficiency tests- achievement tests, diagnostics test, placement tests, direct and indirect test, discrete point and intergrative testing, norm-referenced and criterion testing, objective testing and subjective testing, computer adapting testing
Types of tests: proficiency, achievement, diagnostic, placement
Types of testing: direct vs indirect tests, discrete point vs integrative tests, criterion-referenced vs norm-referenced tests, objective vs subjective tests
An investigation into the characteristics of multiple-choice on the exam results quality in reading tests. This research only surveys teaching methods of teachers. The study focuses on seeking some difficulties met during teaching English about multiple-choice on the exam results quality in Reading tests in class and the reasons why teachers meet those ones.
Francesca Gottschalk - How can education support child empowerment.pptxEduSkills OECD
Francesca Gottschalk from the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation presents at the Ask an Expert Webinar: How can education support child empowerment?
Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
4. What is the Test component of specification?
• The test component of specifications is a written document that provides
essential background information about the planned exam program. This
information is then used to focus and guide the remaining steps in the test
development process.
• Specifications are generative and explanatory in nature. A key benefit of
using test specifications is their efficiency. (Alderson, et al., 1995:2).
5. What are Specs?
• Test specifications – usually called ‘specs’ – are generative explanatory
documents for the creation of test tasks.
specs have the role of a generative blue print, from which many equivalent
test items or tasks can be produced.
Specs tell us the rationale behind the various choices that we make.
Specs tell us the nuts and bolts of how to phrase the test items.
(Davidson & Lynch, 2002)
6. McNamara, (2000:31), defines it as ‘a set of instructions for creating the
test’ and its purpose is to ‘make explicit the design decisions in the test and
to allow new versions to be written in the future by someone other than the
test developer’.
7. What is specs goal in a test?
The ultimate goal of a specs review is to
build a stronger validity argument by
identifying issues that might undermine
the validity.
8. Brown (1994:387) simply calls it ‘practical outline of your test’;
Brown’s questions, when borne in mind, would aid in writing
good test specifications:
Are the directions to each section absolutely clear?
Does each item measure a specific item?
Is each item stated in clear, simple language?
Does the difficulty of each item seem to be appropriate for the students?
Does the sum of the items and test as whole adequately reflect the learning
objectives?
9. Ruch (1929) view point about Test specifications:
He may have been the earliest proponent of test specifications in
educational and psychological assessment.
He mentioned detailed rules of procedures for TS.
He recognized the need for specifications to be immediately relevant to the
local context and test.
He believed that such general statements would probably be impossible.
10. Hughes, Bachman and Palmer view about test specifications:
Hughes(2003), was an early advocate for increased level of details.
According to him it is not to be expected that everything in the specification
will always appear in the test;
Bachman and Palmer (1996) and Alderson(1995), called for more details
to be included in test specifications, although Bachman and Palmer were
more detailed than Alderson.
11. Davidson and Lynch’s iterative-based model of Test specifications:
•According to Davidson and Lynch (2002:20), there is no single best format for test
specifications; ‘the principles are universal’. Their specification model calls for test
developers to include a
(GD) general description
(PA) prompt attributes
(RA) response attributes
(SI) sample items and (SS) specification supplement ,if necessary.
12. Justification for the Test Specifications
Cornerstones: Most commentators consider validity and
reliability to be the most important criteria in judging a
test’s quality, but there are so many factors into
consideration in having a good test that call them
‘cornerstones’ of testing, although Bachman and Palmer
caution that it is an impossible task.( Bachman and
Palmer, 1996)
13. Test Specifications Cornerstones:
Validity : The term validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it says it
measures (Heaton 1988:159).
Reliability: Reliability is concerned with ensuring consistency of test scores.
Practicality: Practical issues include time, resources and administrative logistics; and it
is, perhaps, one of the most important qualities of a test.
Washback : According to Buck (1988), Washback refers to the effect of testing on
teaching and learning.
14. Authenticity: It is an important criterion to judge a test’s quality; and good testing, should
strive to use formats and tests that mirror the types of situations in which students would
authentically use the target language.
Transparency: Transparency refers to the availability of clear, accurate information to
students about testing.
Scorer reliability: It means clearly defining the weighing for each section, describing
specific criteria for marking and grading. (Weir, 1993, p.7)
15. Criteria for Assessment:
It depends and will be checked whether the
response is relevant to the assigned topic or
not, what level of thoroughness it presents.
16. Rating Scales:
Scoring is often taken for granted in language test that the writer, does not
intend to do. Scoring will be:
Analytical: A type of rating scale that requires teachers to allot separate
ratings for the different components of language ability.
Holistic: one based on an impressionistic method of scoring. (Davies 1990)
17. The components of test specifications for teaching skills:
1. Listening
22. References:
Alderson, J. C., Clapham, C. and Wall, D. (1995). Language Test Construction and Evaluation.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Bachman, L. F., & Palmer, A. S. (1996/2010). Language testing in practice. Oxford:Oxford University
Press.
Brown, H. D. (1994). Teaching by principles. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Regents. pp. 373 – 392
23. Brown JD and Bailey KM (2008). Language testing courses: What are they in 2007? Language
Testing, 25(3): 349–383.
Brindley, G. (2001). Assessment. In Carter and Nunan (Eds.). The Cambridge Guide to TESOL.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp.137-143.
Carroll, B .J. (1980). Testing Communicative Performance. Oxford: Pergamon.
Davies, A. (1990). Principles of language testing. Oxford: Blackwell.
Davidson F and Lynch BK (2002). Testcraft: A teacher’s guide to writing and using language test specifications.
New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
24. Douglas, D. (2004). Discourse domains: the cognitive context of speaking. In Boxer, D.,&
Cohen, A. (Eds.), Studying speaking to inform second language learning (pp. 25-47). Clevedon, England:
Multilingual Matters.
Fulcher, G. & Davidson, F. (2007) Language Testing and Assessment: An Advanced Resource Book. Oxford: Routledge.
Hughes, A. (2003). Testing for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
McNamara, T. (2000). Language Testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Messick, S. (1989). Validity. In Linn, R. L. (Ed.). Educational Measurement. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 13-103.
Ruch, G. M. (1929). The objective or new-type examination: An introduction to educational measurement. Chicago:
Scott, Foresman.